Rivera hit .305 this spring, but with little power, and his defense was suspect. Manager Joe Girardi felt more confidence in Overbay’s glove. Overbay just arrived here on Tuesday after being cut by Boston.

“We were just a little bit more comfortable there,” Girardi said.

With Rivera gone, Cashman indicated outfielders Brennan Boesch and Ben Francisco have a good chance to make the Opening Day roster as well. The team signed both players earlier this spring, as they searched for replacements in wake of injuries to Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira.